A coach organizes amateur and professional athletes and teaches them the fundamentals of a sport. He or she trains them to compete as a team or individually. Some coaches recruit new players for college and professional teams.

What You May Not Like About Being a Coach

Since games are often on evenings, weekends, and holidays, coaches can expect to work during hours that many other people do not.

Those whose work involves outdoor sports may have to deal with exposure to inclement weather.

Educational and Other Requirements

Coaches who work in high schools are usually teachers and therefore must meet all the qualifications for that occupation, including having a bachelor's degree. Those who work in a college usually need a bachelor's degree too. Degree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.

Most employers expect those they hire to have participated in the sport they want to coach. High school coaches, particularly those who work in public schools, usually need to be certified. This typically requires training in CPR and first aid, and sometimes in sports safety and coaching fundamentals as well. Some private schools do not require certification.

What Soft Skills Do You Need?

In addition to knowledge about the sport you want to coach and certification, you will also need certain soft skills. They are:

Leadership: This skill set will allow you to influence the athletes you are coaching

Listening and Speaking: You will need excellent communication skills in order to effectively teach and convey information to your team or individual athletes.

Decision Making: During games, you must quickly be able to make decisions.

Interpersonal Skills: These "people skills" are essential as they will allow you to relate well to your players.

How to Advance As a Coach

It is likely you will begin your career as an assistant coach, as many who work in this occupation do. After gaining the necessary knowledge and experience, you may eventually become a head coach. If you want to compete at the highest levels of a school sport, you will need substantial experience as a head or assistant coach at a smaller school. Head coaches at larger schools that strive to compete at the highest levels of a sport require substantial experience at another school. Coaching a professional sports team requires years of experience and a winning record in the lower ranks.

What Employers Expect From You

To learn what qualities employers are looking for when they hire coaches, we took a look at jobs listed on Indeed.com. This is what we found:

Demonstrates organizational ability, and attention to detail and accuracy

Be able to give clear and precise directions

Must possess good safety awareness and judgment

Fun, positive, enthusiastic attitude

Knowledge of and interest in diverse cultures and populations

You need to immerse yourself in the sport and keep up to date on all the latest developments and innovative training methods and techniques